Pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) issued a chilling warning to global Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh on Wednesday, demanding the shutdown of his major concert in Australia. The reason? Dosanjh was recently seen touching the feet of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, an act the terror group aggressively claims “insulted every victim” of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
The threat comes directly from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the designated Khalistan terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Pannun specifically targeted Dosanjh’s upcoming show in Australia scheduled for November 1, announcing plans for a “Panthic Shutdown Rally” outside the concert venue.
SFJ fiercely objected to the gesture of respect shown by Diljit Dosanjh towards Amitabh Bachchan during the filming of the show Kaun Banega Crorepati 17. A clip showing Dosanjh humbly touching the veteran actor’s feet and Bachchan embracing him in return quickly went viral, drawing praise from fans worldwide for the singer’s humility.
SFJ’s ire stems from decades-old allegations against Amitabh Bachchan concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. The terror group alleges that Bachchan publicly incited mobs with the slogan “Khoon Ka Badla Khoon” (“Blood for Blood”) in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, a claim the actor has consistently denied and which has been the subject of long-running controversy.
In its statement, the SFJ vehemently argued that by paying respect to Bachchan, Diljit Dosanjh “insulted every victim, widow, and orphan of the 1984 Sikh Genocide.” Pannun reportedly labelled the gesture as “betrayal,” not mere ignorance.
The controversy intensifies due to the specific timing of Diljit Dosanjh’s concert. November 1 holds profound significance for the Sikh community as the day the Akal Takht Sahib—the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority—observes Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day. The Akal Takht officially declared the 1984 massacres a “genocide” in 2010.
SFJ attacked the scheduling of Dosanjh’s show, describing it as a “mockery of remembrance” and accusing the singer of “commercializing a month of mourning.” The group has also formally written to the Akal Takht Jathedar to summon Dosanjh to explain his actions.
Diljit Dosanjh, one of Punjabi cinema and music’s most globally successful stars, has not yet issued a public comment on the SFJ’s threat. He is currently on his massive AURA Tour 2025, which includes the highly-anticipated Australian leg where he made history as the first Indian artist to ever headline stadiums. The show scheduled for November 1 in Melbourne is a sold-out event.
This targeted threat by the banned terror outfit forces a dangerous spotlight onto an artist’s personal gesture of respect, demanding that he justify his actions based on a deeply contentious historical narrative. Authorities in Australia and the event organizers will undoubtedly face pressure to address the safety and security concerns raised by the SFJ’s public call for a shutdown rally, ensuring the protection of the artist and the thousands of fans planning to attend the concert.
The global music community now watches closely as this clash between an artistic expression of respect and a political threat unfolds on an international stage.
